Shepard committed to LSU as a quarterback, but quickly saw the writing on the wall when he didn't receive much playing time as a freshman. In the middle of the season, he asked to be moved to wide receiver.

Shepard jumped into his new role with boundless enthusiasm and spent the spring and summer learning the tricks of the trade.

"The thing I had to learn this summer is the small things, the mechanical things,"

Shepard said. "How to catch back-shoulder fades and how to run a perfect route . . . how to do these small things in order to make myself not a good player, but a great player."

Shepard turned to the past for guidance and spent a lot of time during the summer researching NFL wide receivers such as Torry Holt, Andre Johnson, Chad Ochocinco and Percy Harvin.

"The best receiver of all-time wasn't the biggest guy, but he worked his butt off and wanted it more. I'm talking about Jerry Rice, baby," Shepard said, smiling.

In his research, Shepard said he found one common trait among all the great receivers. They practiced catching balls every day, so Shepard decided he would, too.

"Catching balls is something that you can never do too much of," Shepard said. "So every day since the first day of the summer to now, I caught between 75 to 150 balls a day, which is huge."

The commitment showed on his first day of practice this season. He didn't drop a single pass that day, Shepard noted proudly.

Shepard's work hasn't gone unnoticed by Coach Les Miles, who made a point to commend him on his progress.

"I think Russell Shepard's probably had as good a practice as he has had here," Miles said Thursday. "He's stronger. I don't think he gained or lost weight, but his measurables are better. His body fat is less."

Shepard's teammates expect him to be an integral part of the offense this season. Senior wide receiver Terrence Toliver described Shepard as quick and able, someone who excels in open space with the ball in his hands.

Junior quarterback Jordan Jefferson said he already sees Shepard as a leader among the receivers.

"Tremendous athlete. He can do it all," Jefferson said. "We expect a lot out of Russell, and I know he's going to work hard and help this team out a lot."

Shepard spent last season bouncing from one position to another at practice -- quarterback, running back and receiver -- but his focus has remained mostly on receiving since the spring.

"It's made a huge difference," Shepard said.

New wide receivers coach Billy Gonzales told Shepard he shouldn't see himself as a jack-of-all-trades, but instead master one thing and be good at a few other things.

Shepard spent 90 percent of the time at receiver during Thursday's practice, but also got in the backfield and worked a little at quarterback.

Shepard said he doesn't lack confidence, but admitted he still has a lot to learn. Among them -- the finer points of route-running.